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In case of divorce, who has parental authority?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: Both parents, with the same rights and duties. Both parents have parental authority, with the same rights and duties. This does not change if they are married, separated or living together without marriage. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “Exercice de l’autorité parentale (1/2)” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “Exercice de l’autorité parentale (1/2)” (French), read on 21 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ Only the motherSeulement la mèreThe father also keeps parental authority.
- ✗ Only the parent who looks after the child every daySeulement le parent qui garde l'enfant au quotidienBoth parents keep parental authority.
- ✗ The judge, in place of the parentsLe juge, à la place des parentsThe parents keep their rights and duties.
- ✓ Both parents, with the same rights and dutiesLes deux parents, avec les mêmes droits et devoirsCorrect answer. Both parents have parental authority, with the same rights and duties. This does not change if they are married, separated or living together without marriage.
What the source says
« Les deux parents ont tous les deux l’autorité parentale : ils ont les mêmes droits et les mêmes devoirs. Peu importe leur situation (s’ils sont mariés, pacsés, en concubinage ou séparés). »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « En cas de divorce, qui exerce l'autorité parentale ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the resident card (CR) and on the naturalisation list (PDF read on 14 October 2026). The Ministry's wording: “En cas de divorce, qui exerce l'autorité parentale ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Exercice de l’autorité parentale (1/2)” (French).
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